LLEWELA Bailey is more used to telling us about other people’s tragedies than her own.

But the former Central Tonight newsreader, who became a household name in the Midlands alongside veteran presenter Bob Warman, will recount her own personal triumph over adversity at a charity lunch next month.

She will speak publicly for the first time about coming to terms with the death of her husband Martin Jenkins and how she is turning the experience into something positive.

Over the past few months the 52-year-old and her daughter Jess have thrown themselves into an intensive training programme in preparation for the 2011 London Marathon.

The dedicated pair are running the marathon to raise money for the organisation which cared for Martin during his final days – Birmingham St Mary’s Hospice.

Between them they’re hoping to bring in £20,000 for the Selly Park-based hospice which provides vital palliative care to people with life-limiting illnesses from across Birmingham and Sandwell.

Martin’s story is sadly all too familiar. After months of experiencing what seemed fairly innocuous symptoms – a tickly cough, stiffness in the neck and a nagging pain in one of his ears – the barrister was diagnosed with an inoperable tumour.

After intensive radiation and two courses of chemotherapy, things appeared promising and the family dared to hope.

“It started to look positive, and although Martin was unable to lead the sort of life he’d had pre-cancer he was looking much better and managed to go back to work,” recalls Llewela.

But the glimmer of hope soon faded and the family were given the news they had all dreaded – that he had only a few months to live.”

The family had Birmingham St Mary’s Hospice to fall back on, giving Llewela in particular “a place where I could cry but also get angry.”

After Martin passed away, the hospice remained in the family’s life offering counselling support.

Llewela will tell guests her story at Birmingham St Mary’s Christmas Ladies’ Lunch at the City Café, in Brindley Place, on Friday, December 3.

Tickets are £35 and bookings are available for individuals or groups of up to ten.

Before, guests will also be able to indulge in a little retail therapy with sales of high quality clothes, jewellery, cosmetics and gifts.